Cold Hands Warm Hearts

Well, where do I even begin? It’s been a really crazy two weeks at Heartfelt and things don’t seem to be calming down with Women’s Day just around the corner. I’m so proud of Martha and the ladies who managed to deliver our biggest order to date on time last week – after sewing right through the night and giving up their weekends.

They all slept at Martha’s the night before delivery (or didn’t sleep should I say) and sat through the night in the freezing cold finishing off the 1430 Key Rings Martha personally delivered to FNB the next day.

The box was so big Martha couldn’t get it in a taxi from Makapanstad to post in Pretoria – so we paid one of her neighbour's who had a car to take her to deliver it herself in Johannesburg. Which was great because that meant that we were able to help someone else in the community. Poor Martha though, she was totally exhausted by the time she got home. The relief and joy I could hear in her voice once the box had been delivered was relief and joy for me. She had worked so hard and - in true Martha style - got the job done without complaining.

What Martha said was so special about it all, was that all the ladies worked together as a team. Everyone pulled their weight and I think they even amazed themselves. It’s incredible what a little team work can do for the office morale. All the ladies, after taking a few days off, are back at work and in high spirits. Especially because Friday is pay day which means there will be plenty of food on the table, lots of happy hearts and all that hard work will have finally paid off.

Madiba Day in Mautse

At our Heartfelt Rosendal Project, a very special heartfelt initiative is taking place on Sunday for Mandela Day. Sam Yeowart - who runs the project from Rosendal in the Orange Free State - gives the Heartfelt Ladies English lessons once a week. This week the lesson was devoted to ‘How they’ll spend their 67 minutes on Mandela Day’? The question was asked if the Ladies knew of anyone who is doing good for anyone else in the community and sadly the answer was no. So Sam and the Ladies decided to use the money they had put aside from Heartfelt sales for charitable donations - to go towards a party. But not just any old party - at this party they'll be inviting 20-odd orphans who live in child headed households in Mautse (the local rural community where the Ladies live) to lunch on Sunday. They are going to use the money to buy meat, veggies, pap, juice, fruit, sweets etc for the children, which the ladies are then going to cook. They will then all spend their day talking to the children, giving them love, advice and playing some games with them. Talk about spreading the Heartfelt LOVE... I'm sure even Madiba would be there if he could!

A Happy Busy Time

So it’s been another mad week here at Heartfelt, what with month end (the ladies favourite time) and lots of exciting orders coming in. We also received some photos from one of our Heartfelt bridal couples, Leanne & Dan who got married in the UK on the 15th of May – which we wanted to share with you (take a look at their photos on our Facebook page). The Ladies loved every minute of making their turquoise place cards and table cards, as they do all our wedding favours. It always leaves a warm happy feeling in our hearts working with brides. I think it's because of the fact that they have chosen Heartfelt gifts for their guests (out of the 1000’s of other gifts out there) and want us to be part of their special day - which really means so much to us.

We’re also awaiting the return of our lovely lady Mpho who has been at the Grahamstown Festival since the 17th June selling Heartfelt goodies. She has been having a whale of a time by the sounds of it and I promise to share all the gossip with you when she returns - Martha is beside herself with excitement. So while we all sit and wait, the ladies are busily sewing like crazy to get a large Women’s Day Order finished and I'm working on a few exciting new designs. So it’s business as usual here at Heartfelt and a happy busy time for all. Ta ta.